Introduction:

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi's first budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year reflects a comprehensive approach to state development.

He focuses on rural economic empowerment, industrial growth, social welfare, and infrastructure enhancement.

The increased allocations and new initiatives underscore the government's commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable development. The government aims to transform Odisha into a 'Vikash Odisha' in the coming years.

THE CAREER OF MOHAN CHARAN MAJHI OF ODISHA

Mohan Charan Majhi, was born on January 6, 1972, in Raikala village of Keonjhar district, Odisha.

He is an Indian politician who has risen through the ranks to become the 15th Chief Minister of Odisha. 

His journey from a village teacher to the state’s Chief minister is marked by dedication, resilience, and a deep commitment to the welfare of his community.

Early Life and Education

Hailing from the Santal tribal community, Mohan Charan Majhi was the son of Gunaram Majhi, a peon in a government secondary school. 

He completed his schooling at Jhumpura High School in 1987 and pursued higher secondary education at Anadapur College in 1990. Majhi earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Chandra Sekhar College, Champua. 

Later obtained a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Dhenkanal Law College. His academic background laid a strong foundation for his future endeavours in public service.

Legislative Career

Majhi's political journey in the Odisha Legislative Assembly began in 2000 when he was elected from the Keonjhar constituency. 

He was re-elected in 2004 and served as the Deputy Chief Whip of the government from 2005 to 2009. 

Although he faced setbacks in the 2009 and 2014 elections, he made a strong comeback by winning the Keonjhar seat in 2019. 

During this period, he was appointed as the Chief Whip of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Odisha Assembly. 

His leadership roles in the assembly underscored his growing influence in state politics.

Chief Minister of Odisha

In the 2024 Odisha Legislative Assembly elections, Majhi secured the Keonjhar seat for the fourth time. 

The BJP emerged as the principal opposition party, and on June 11, 2024, Majhi was appointed as the Chief Minister of Odisha.

 He was sworn in the following day, succeeding Naveen Patnaik, who had served as Chief Minister since March 2000 for 24 Years.

Majhi's appointment marked a significant milestone, as he became the first person from the Santal tribe and the third individual of tribal origin to hold the position of Chief Minister in Odisha. 

Odisha Budget (FY25-26)

The Odisha Budget for the financial year 2025-26, presented by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, focuses on economic growth, infrastructure, and social welfare. 

The total expenditure for the year is estimated at ₹2.43 lakh crore, marking a 15% increase from the previous year.

 Additionally, ₹21,092 crore has been allocated for debt servicing, ensuring fiscal responsibility.

On the revenue side, the state has projected its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at ₹9.26 lakh crore, reflecting an 11.2% growth. 

The total revenue receipts (excluding borrowings) are estimated at ₹2.11 lakh crore, which is 13% higher than the previous year’s revised estimates. 

The budget is designed to ensure fiscal sustainability while prioritizing key sectors such as agriculture, women empowerment, health, education, and infrastructure.

Key allocations include ₹33,919 crore for agriculture, ₹19,959 crore for health, and ₹10,000 crore for women empowerment through various welfare schemes. 

The budget also earmarks funds for urban development projects like the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail and cultural heritage initiatives.

 Overall, the Odisha Budget 2025-26 aims for inclusive development and economic stability, ensuring balanced growth across all sectors.

Key Highlights of Odisha Budget(FY25-26)

1. Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare

• Increased Allocation: The budget allocates ₹33,919 crore to the agriculture sector, marking a 36% increase from the previous year's allocation. 
• Samrudha Krushak Yojana: A provision of ₹5,000 crore has been made for this scheme, aimed at enhancing farmers' income and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. 
• CM Kisan Scheme: A new initiative with an outlay of ₹1,935 crore has been introduced to support farmers, aligning with the central government's PM-KISAN scheme. 

2. Women Empowerment

• Subhadra Yojana: A significant allocation of ₹10,000 crore has been earmarked for this financial assistance program designed to empower women across the state. 

3. Health Sector

• Ayushman Bharat Implementation: The state plans to implement the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) in convergence with the state's own health assurance scheme, Gopabandhu Jana Arogya Yojana (GJAY), to provide cashless healthcare in government and private health facilities to all eligible families. 
• Gopabandhu Jana Arogya Yojana: The existing health scheme has been renamed and enhanced to offer comprehensive health coverage to the residents of Odisha. 

4. Education

• Infrastructure Development: The budget includes provisions for the construction and renovation of educational institutions to improve the quality of education. 
• Scholarships and Incentives: Allocations have been made for scholarships and incentives to encourage higher education and skill development among students. 

5. Infrastructure Development

• Urban Transport: An allocation of ₹1,000 crore has been made for the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail project to enhance urban mobility. 
• Roads and Railways: The budget includes ₹6,180 crore for road development initiatives and ₹600 crore for railway projects to improve connectivity across the state. 

6. Cultural and Heritage Preservation

• Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA): A corpus fund of ₹500 crore has been created for the SJTA to support the administration and development of the temple. 
• Odia Asmita: A corpus fund of ₹200 crore has been allocated to promote Odia culture and heritage. 

7. Disaster Risk Management

• Dedicated Fund: An outlay of ₹3,900 crore has been set aside for Disaster Risk Management Funds to enhance the state's preparedness and response to natural disasters. 

8. Fiscal Health

• Revenue Surplus: The state anticipates a revenue surplus of 3% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), amounting to ₹27,437 crore, indicating a healthy fiscal position. 
• Fiscal Deficit: The fiscal deficit is targeted at 3.5% of GSDP, approximately ₹32,403 crore, aligning with the fiscal consolidation roadmap. 

9. Stakeholder Consultation

• Inclusive Budgeting: The government conducted consultations with approximately 12,000 people to prepare a budget that reflects the aspirations and needs of the populace. 

10. Economic Growth Projections

• GSDP Growth: The state's GSDP is projected to grow at 8%, aiming for a 'Viksit Odisha' in the coming years. 

Conclusion: 

In summary, the Odisha Budget for 2024-25 reflects a comprehensive approach to state development, focusing on agriculture, women empowerment, health, education, infrastructure, cultural preservation, and fiscal health.

 The increased allocations and new initiatives underscore the government's commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable development.

The Odisha government has unveiled its budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, totalling ₹2.65 lakh crore. 

This budget emphasizes key sectors such as agriculture, women empowerment, health, education, and infrastructure development. Below is a detailed analysis of the major highlights: